DESCRIPTION:

Public education has long served our communities well, but today’s world of rapid globalization and disruptive technologies demands structural change at a pace we’ve never faced before. In this session, Cory Kulig and Mike Beighley will explore how districts like Whitehall and Eleva-Strum are reimagining learning through initiatives such as LIFToFFS Learning, the Whitehall Regional Emerging Technology Laboratory (WRETL), and the nationally recognized Cardinal Manufacturing program. Together, these models connect students directly to the skills, mindsets, and competencies required for success in a global economy shaped by automation, AI, and advanced manufacturing. Attendees will gain insight into why our current system—though successful in its time—is no longer sufficient, and how schools can act urgently to shift from tradition to transformation. Join this session to learn practical steps, community partnerships, and bold strategies that ensure rural schools not only keep pace, but lead in preparing students for the future.

Program Description

Globalization and emerging technologies demand urgent change in public education. Join Cory Kulig and Mike Beighley as they share how LIFToFFS Learning, the Whitehall Regional Emerging Technology Laboratory, and Cardinal Manufacturing are transforming rural schools from successful but outdated models into future-ready systems, preparing students to thrive.